Asthma
If your child experiences these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your pediatrician.
- Two or more wheezing episodes that are resolved with Albuterol
- Coughing for weeks after colds have resolved
- Coughing or wheezing during or after exercise
- Coughing with crying or laughing
- Coughing at night when sleeping—even if it doesn’t wake them
- Tires easily with exercise
Wondering if your child’s asthma is under control?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your child’s asthma is not under control. Please schedule an appointment.
- Did your child miss school or do you miss work because of your child’s asthma?
- Does your child have trouble being active or exercising because of asthma?
- Does your child sometimes need to go to an urgent care or emergency room because of asthma?
- Does your child require a “quick relief inhaler” more than two times a week?
- Does your child wake up at night with asthma symptoms more than two times a month?
- Do you refill their “quick-relief inhaler” more than two times a year?
After An Asthma Diagnosis
After diagnosis, there will be an initial appointment with our asthma educator. We'll talk about:
- Asthma triggers and avoidance measures
- Asthma medications
- Spacer use
- Peak flow meters
- Use of an asthma action plan
- Illness and asthma
- Asthma and exercise/school
In addition, for children over the age of 6, we will perform a spirometry test to get an idea of asthma severity and level of control. A spirometry test is a breathing test that requires your child to exhale for 4 continuous seconds, they will then inhale deeply. Once we obtain 3 good quality tests we then will administer 4 puffs of an Albuterol inhaler. After, we will then wait 10 minutes and repeat the spirometry. This information will be used to develop an Asthma Care Plan for your child.
Subsequent Appointments to Gain Control
Your next appointment for follow-up will be scheduled based on level of control and changes made to the Asthma Care Plan.
All patients with asthma will be followed by visits every 4-6 weeks until control is established.
Patients on Daily Medications
Once asthma is under control, patients who are on daily medications will require an asthma visit every 6 months.
Patients Not on Daily Medications
For those who are not on daily medications, we require a yearly asthma visit. Spirometry will be performed a minimum of every two years for patients 6 years and older.
Annual Flu Vaccine
All patients with asthma are strongly recommended to receive a yearly flu vaccine. They are not eligible for the Flu Mist (nasal mist vaccine).
Resources
ASTHMA COORDINATOR
Karen Sobeck, RN, BSN, AE-C
Karen is our asthma care coordinator. She is a registered nurse and Certified Asthma Educator, working closely with our pediatricians to diagnose, treat, and manage our patients with asthma.
She has appointments available Monday through Thursday that include spirometry (asthma test) with a discussion about your child's asthma, triggers, medications, peak flow training, inhaler training, and development of an asthma action plan.
Request an Appointment
Online through our patient portal or call (616) 949-4465
To reach Karen directly, call (616) 957-5165, ext. 354